One of the most important gifts you can give yourself or a loved one is the gift of good hearing.
Many people, regardless of age, live with hearing loss and the struggles it can bring. Stats Canada estimates that 19 per cent of adults in Canada have at least mild hearing loss in the speech-frequency range, and 35 per cent of adults have some degree of hearing loss in the high-frequency range, where age-related hearing loss typically starts.
Sometimes issues can stem from injury, illness, or repeated exposure to loud noise, and other times it’s a slower process that comes with aging – often without the individual being aware, explains Jeff Campbell, owner of Ears To You, which provides mobile hearing services on Vancouver Island.
For example, common early signs of hearing loss include:
- difficulty following a conversation when there’s background noise – at a social gathering or restaurant, for example
- a sense that people mumble when they speak
- tinnitus, or persistent ringing in the ears
With the impacts of hearing loss including anxiety, depression, social isolation, cognitive decline, dementia and an overall lower quality of life, the importance of addressing hearing loss is significant.
“As we approach the holiday season, a time when we gather to make lasting memories with friends and family, it’s the perfect time to consider one of the most meaningful gifts you can give to a loved one – or yourself,” Campbell notes.
“If you’re concerned that you, a spouse or a parent may be experiencing loss, the first step is to have a hearing test. Because we can bring our mobile clinic to you, it’s a much easier, less-intimidating process,” he explains.
If hearing loss is indicated, the Ear to You audiology team can help find the ideal hearing aid for your needs.
“Today’s hearing aids are nothing like what our parents and grandparents used to wear. Advances have made them extremely discreet, and thanks to today’s technology, many can be easily adjusted simply by using your smartphone!”
There’s no reason for you or a loved one to live with untreated hearing loss. Book your appointment today by calling